The Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has commenced the distribution of educational materials to pupils in public schools as part of efforts to ease the financial burden on parents and improve access to education.

The initiative, which targets 4,000 pupils during the 2026/2027 academic session, will see each beneficiary receive a school pack containing a school bag, 10 exercise books, writing materials and a school uniform.

Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Hon. Olawale Saliu Jimoh, disclosed this during the official presentation of the school packs, adding that the programme was made possible by savings from the funds available to the council.

Jimoh said his administration introduced the initiative to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship on families, particularly parents struggling to provide basic educational materials for their children.

The initiative is a result of the savings we have made from the funds available to the local government. To cushion the effects of the current economic hardship, I have taken it upon myself to provide support to families. How do I intend to do that? I decided to start with pupils who go to school. That is the first step. This is not the only initiative we are introducing as a result of the funds available to us.

— Olawale Saliu Jimoh, Chairman, Apapa-Iganmu LCDA

School packs for public school pupils

Giving a breakdown of the distribution, the chairman said 1,836 pupils from Metropolitan Nursery and Primary School, Sari Iganmu, received the packs, while 764 pupils from Badia Primary School, Badia, and 796 pupils from Baptist Primary School, Marine Beach, were also beneficiaries.

The figures represent a total of 3,396 pupils covered by the distribution at the three participating schools.

Jimoh said the school-pack initiative was part of a broader plan to improve educational opportunities for children in the LCDA, stressing that his administration intended to sustain the programme annually.

Yes, it will be a yearly programme. We are implementing it for the first time for the 2026/2027 academic session. The beneficiaries will continue to receive support as they progress in their education in subsequent years.

— Olawale Saliu Jimoh, Chairman, Apapa-Iganmu LCDA

University tuition support and GCE forms

Beyond the distribution of educational materials, the chairman disclosed that the council was developing a free education support programme for university students, with nearly 100 students expected to benefit from payment of their tuition fees for one year.

According to him, the beneficiaries would subsequently be able to access the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to support their education from the second year, subject to applicable requirements.

In addition, I have introduced a free education initiative in my local government. I have close to 100 pupils whose university tuition fees I intend to pay for one year. From the second year, their education will be funded by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). I intend to sustain this programme annually for as long as I remain alive and serve as chairman.

— Olawale Saliu Jimoh, Chairman, Apapa-Iganmu LCDA

The chairman also disclosed that the council had procured General Certificate of Education (GCE) forms for students who performed poorly in their previous examinations, enabling them to retake the examinations and meet the requirements for further education.

He said the initiative was intended to give young people another opportunity to continue their education rather than allow poor examination results to become a barrier to their academic progress.

Jimoh urged other local government chairmen to identify the peculiar needs of their communities and channel available resources towards addressing them.

He said education remained a priority in Apapa-Iganmu, adding that his administration was committed to supporting children from primary and secondary school through university.

As I am doing this here, I also want to see similar progress in other places. However, every local government has its peculiarities. In my local government, one of the major areas requiring attention is education. I want to ensure that we provide the necessary educational support and give our children access to a better life. My goal is to support them from primary and secondary school through to university, ensuring that they have the opportunity to pursue their education and achieve their potential.

— Olawale Saliu Jimoh, Chairman, Apapa-Iganmu LCDA

Call for parents to access government support

The chairman also highlighted the need for parents to take advantage of available government education support programmes, including free education at the primary and secondary school levels and the federal government's student loan scheme for eligible university students.

He encouraged parents to obtain relevant documentation, including tax clearance certificates and voter cards, where required, to facilitate access to applicable government programmes.

Electricity for schools and road construction

On efforts to improve the learning environment, Jimoh disclosed that the council had commenced an initiative to provide electricity to public schools in the LCDA, with five schools reportedly included in the programme.

He said preparations were underway for the installation of electricity meters as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning conditions in the schools.

The chairman further said the administration was encouraging pupils to improve their academic performance, particularly in mathematics and other subjects.

In another development, Jimoh disclosed that the council had embarked on the construction of a one-kilometre road in Okeoja, a swampy area where the road had reportedly been abandoned for more than 30 years.

He said the road had deteriorated and been overtaken by swamp, making rehabilitation necessary to improve access to the riverine community.

According to him, the project would include reclamation of the affected area, rehabilitation of a silted bridge, interlocking and installation of streetlights.

These projects are possible because of the funds available to us. We are using the money to undertake several developmental initiatives.

— Olawale Saliu Jimoh, Chairman, Apapa-Iganmu LCDA

Officials commend the initiative

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, a representative thanked the council chairman for providing the educational materials, describing the support as beneficial to pupils and their parents.

The representative also prayed for the continuation and expansion of the initiative in subsequent academic sessions.

The event was attended by the Vice Chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Hon. Mrs Fadekemi Otitolaye; Leader of the House, Hon. Adigun Abdul Arogundade; Supervisor for Education, Hon. Akinloluwa Adejumo; SLG, Hon. Ibrahin Olarewaju; Chief of Staff, Hon. Fatia Olarenwaju; Council Manager, Mr Badmus Lateef Omokayode; and Head of Department, Education, Mr Jinadu Nurudeen Olalekan, among other officials.

The initiative, themed “Education for All, A Brighter Future for Every Child!”, forms part of the council's stated efforts to support pupils, reduce the financial pressure on parents and improve access to educational opportunities in Apapa-Iganmu LCDA.